India have suffered another heartbreaking loss, this time in the T20 World Cup semi-finals against Australia. It has become a recurring theme for the team, who have experienced similar disappointments in ICC events since their collapse near the finish line against England in the 2017 World Cup final.
India had been on course for a statement win in the semi-finals against Australia, but the unlucky dismissal of their captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, dashed their hopes. Dropped catches, poor fielding, mix-ups in the middle, and the failure to close down important moments all contributed to India’s downfall.
To become a powerhouse in women’s cricket, India still has plenty to make up on the field. It is vital that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) goes back to the drawing board and puts a vision in place. Continuity when it comes to supporting staff is also essential. The team has had three different head coaches in the last three T20 World Cups and in December 2021, with just two months left for the tournament, the BCCI chose to shuffle the coaching staff.
Having a strong support staff is crucial for a team that is still in the developmental stage, and so is continuity in terms of planning. The women’s team needs a bunch of support staff who are technically well-equipped and can assist them tactically on the field.
Top teams that regularly vie for top prizes all have continuity in planning and let the process take over. However, India’s constant changing of coaches almost every couple of years is not giving them the best chance to win. However, the Indian teams, under Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet, seem to be an exception to this rule and continue to pay the price.
BCCI needs to take action to ensure that the team has a solid vision in place and a strong support staff. The team has immense potential, and with the right guidance, they can become a powerhouse in women’s cricket.
